What receiver do you guys recommend?

Javyn
Javyn Posts: 4
edited March 2004 in Electronics
Hey everyone, I received a stereo system as a gift a few years ago (great gift!), and recently my Harmon AVR110 receiver went out. Finding a replacement is very confusing! I am wondering what you guys would recommend with the components I already have. Oh, and I was never really happy with the way the HK sounded in the first place. Not to mention its other quirks, like mapping some of the buttons on the remote control wrong!

TV: Sony Trinitron KV 20V80 20"
DVD: Apex AD-660 (modified hehe)
VCR: Toshiba HiFi something

R&L channels: Polk RT600I (150 watt max i believe)
Sub: Polks PSW250 Sub

I have no center channel, or surround speakers because I have no room for them. I'm also on a budget and am looking for something in the $200 range although I'll go up to 3.

I got a Pioneer VSX-D412 100 watt per channel, and was pretty happy with it until I found that some of the audio/video plugs in the back didn't work. So I took that back to Circuit City and am kind of weary as to what I should get now ...Do these things normally give out and screw up like this that often???

Also, do certain receivers work best with Polk speakers? I don't really know much about all of this. I'm looking on ebay now, and have come across Kenwood, TEAC, Yamaha, Sherwood, and Sony that I might be interested in, but I'm not sure what to get! What would your recommendations be? S-video compatibility would be nice, but not required.

Thanks a lot!


Javyn
Post edited by Javyn on
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Comments

  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited March 2004
    For a $200 - $300 budget, you should consider a new or used entry level receiver such as the Onkyo TXSR501 or a Denon AVR 1803. Yamaha is also very highly regarded.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Javyn
    Javyn Posts: 4
    edited March 2004
    Quality-wise how do you think the Denon 1803 stacks up against Kenwood VR-707 or the TEAC AG8525? Those were the two I had it narrowed down to. Thanks a lot!


    Javyn
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2004
    The Denon is better! I've had the 1802 for two years now and it has been an excellent AVR.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • Javyn
    Javyn Posts: 4
    edited March 2004
    Kind of ironic, since my father just got a Denon 1804 to power the upstairs stereo, and a Denon 5803 for downstairs! All Energy speakers and subs.
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